Bennett cagey on rumours of a move

Brett Keeble

Knights coach Wayne Bennett has knocked back an opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to Newcastle for the last two years of his four-year contract.

Bennett's future remains the subject of speculation in the lead-up to Newcastle's preliminary final against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, despite assurances from Knights chief executive Matt Gidley that he will remain at the club until the end of 2015. ''Look, I've got no control over that, so I don't worry about it,'' Bennett told the media after overseeing training on Wednesday, when asked about that speculation.

But when asked if he was staying in Newcastle for the next two years, honouring the commitment he gave Knights owner Nathan Tinkler in April 2011, Bennett said: ''Look, I can't give you an iron-clad guarantee about anything in this game, so right now, I'm the coach here, and when that changes, I'll let you know.''

Fairfax Media reported on Wednesday that Bennett was still being linked to a possible move to Townsville to take up a role with the North Queensland Cowboys, or a return to Brisbane to rejoin the Broncos, but Gidley said the seven-time premiership-winning coach was staying put. ''I've spoken to him about that - he's not going anywhere,'' Gidley said. ''We've put a lot of work in to get some of these players here. We bought players who want to play under Wayne and play for Wayne and improve on his watch.

''He's not going to let these guys down. Wayne is extremely loyal. I don't laugh at [the speculation] or buy into it. Whenever there's instability at the Broncos, Wayne's name will be mentioned as a possible solution. He built the place there and had wonderful success there. I understand that. But I think he's excited about what we're trying to do here.''

Bennett told the media after training on Wednesday that the Knights would not be within one win of a grand final without Tinkler's intervention and involvement. ''I made a statement after the game [against the Storm last Saturday] - I was interviewed in Melbourne the other night - that without Nathan doing what he'd done, we wouldn't be where we are.''